Monday, October 17, 2011

Reason #399 I could be considered an 'eccentric' (aka bat-sh*t crazy) gamer

It's possible that at some point in the next year or two (OK, maybe three) I'll add a Neo Geo CD--the top-loader depicted in the photo below, specifically--to my ever-growing console collection.

I know, that admission in and of itself is enough to warrant another "here's why I'm an eccentric gamer" post, but in this case that's just the start of it. The rest of it: I really only want to be able to play two games--Puzzle Bobble and Twinkle Star Sprites--on this (possible) future acquisition.



Oh, I wouldn't be surprised if, at some point, I were to be tempted to pick up a few additional games for the system--like Super Baseball 2020 (seemingly strange choice for me, I know) and Blue's Journey/Raguy--but the two mentioned in the previous sentence would be the main reason behind this particular spending spree.

Anyway, of all the desires and dreams detailed in these "reasons I could be considered an 'eccentric' (aka bat-sh*t crazy) gamer" posts, this one is, by far, the least likely to become a reality. Still, I think the fact that I'm even thinking of buying a Neo Geo CD is worth mentioning here.

See also: Other reasons I could be considered an 'eccentric' (aka bat-sh*t crazy) gamer

18 comments:

Viewtiful_Justin said...

It's a sickness, Bryan. But I love all these obscure games you're pointing me towards. You make learning fun! :-P

Kimimi said...

Blue's Journey is a great game, I used to have it for my AES. Definitely overlooked, but at least that means it's cheap(er)! Windjammers (AKA Flying Power Disc) is another must have too ^^~

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yes, it's most definitely a sickness, Justin. Thankfully I'm able to show at least some restraint when it comes to buy (or not buying) all of these desired games and systems, right?

As for pointing you towards obscure games and systems that you may not have known about before: Hey, that's the whole point of this blog! :)

Bryan Ochalla said...

Do you have an AES, Kimimi? If so ... wow! I'd say I want an AES rather than a Neo Geo CD, but AES games are still pretty darn expensive. The CD ones seem a lot cheaper.

Anyway, thanks for pointing me to Windjammers. I feel like I've heard of it, but I can't remember the point of it at the moment. Off to YouTube!

Motherplayer said...

I have always been curious to try Twinkle Star.....

Kimimi said...

I used to own an AES... long story short, I sold it when I *thought* a cup of tea had killed my laptop. Turns out the laptop was fine but not before the AES had been sold (to go towards a new laptop). To be brutally honest, it's a lovely console but the prices of a lot of the games make it a chore to buy for, you either have to have the patience of a saint or the wallet of a sinner ;)

I think I'd go for a NGCD next time - the games are far more affordable and unless you're looking playing a lot of beat 'em ups the loading times aren't as bad as people make them out to be.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yes, try it at some point -- either through emulation or through less nefarious means, if that's your game. Unfortunately, the latter option isn't easy to accomplish these days, since the game's Dreamcast and Saturn ports tend to be pricey. (The Neo Geo CD version is pretty pricey, too, BTW.) It was released on the Wii Virtual Console in Japan recently, but it has yet to make its way to any other territory. Hopefully that'll change soon...

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yeah, I hear what you're saying, Kimimi -- RE: the prices of most AES carts. If I ever were to pick up some sort of Neo Geo system, it'd definitely be the CD one, as I'm not much of a fighter fan. As long as I could play Puzzle Bobble and Twinkle Star Sprites, I'd be happy.

Anyway, do you think you'll ever actually pick up a NGCD yourself? Or has that ship sailed?

Kimimi said...

It's not on the cards in the immediate future, but I would like one at some point. :)

Bryan Ochalla said...

So you're like me! Maybe someday, but not anytime soon :)

Ash said...

Neo Geo CD was my gaming fantasy in youth, such that it became kind of a running joke for a few Christmases when my Mom would ask what I wanted "And don't you tell me Neo Geo CD!" haha

Super Baseball 2020 is awesome, btw. I only played the SNES import, but it was one of a handful of games that me and my dad enjoyed together.

Also, two words: Top Hunter.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, I love that story, Ash! I don't suppose you ever got one then?

I've never played Top Hunter, BTW. Going to have to go look that up now...

Sean said...

Obscure games played on obscure systems: there is no finer way for a true retro afficionado to display their excellent sense of taste!

I`ve never played the NEO GEO CD, but wish you luck in your quest to one day own one!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Thanks, Sean! Like I said earlier, though, this is probably near the bottom of the heap in terms of systems I'd really like to own. I mean, I still have to get a Super Fami, a Sega CDX, a PC Engine LT, etc. OK, so I'll probably never get that last one (because they're so damn expensive), but you know what I'm sayin' ;)

Retr0gamer said...

I know the Neo Geo CD looks like a nice cheap way to play neo geo games but seriously don't bother. It will break your heart. The load times are absolutely ridiculous. A typical Neo Geo CD game proceeds like this:

loading - title screen - loading - character select - loading - prefight taunts - loading - actual fight.

Each of those loads can be anything from 30-60 seconds long. It gets really annoying. The best thing about Neo Geo games is how great they are to pick up and play but the load times kill them. Games like Metal Slug even have load times in the middle of stages.

Here's a good comparison:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM-mkMq9U6s

You are better off getting an MVS board and hooking it up to a supergun. The MVS carts are cheaper and easier to find. I'm planning on doing it myself whenever I get a job ( :( ) and doing it as a project.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yeah, I've heard about the loading times, Retr0gamer. Thanks for underlining how horrible they actually can be, though.

Really, it's unlikely I'll ever get a Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo CD or a supergun/MVS. In a perfect world, I would all one or all of them; in this one, I'll likely be happy with my current haul of systems plus a few more oldies (like a Mega Drive, Super Fami and mayyyyyybe a Saturn).

Retr0gamer said...

Can't recommend a saturn highly enough. Western line up is a bit crap but discovering all the great games that were released in japan is one of my fondest gaming moments.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yeah, a Saturn is a definite possibility at some point, Retr0gamer. I actually owned a Japanese one shortly after the system was released, but I sold it a few years later to buy ... a Dreamcast, I think? Anyway, I've been meaning to buy another one ever since...